Lagos hotelier paraded over alleged sexual assault of teenage boy

Police officers at the Zonal Command Headquarters in Onikan, Lagos State, have paraded the managing director and chief executive officer of a Lagos hotel for allegedly sodomising a 16-year-old boy.

The suspect, Opara Macdonald, was arrested following a petition alleging that he took the victim to his house in Egbeda, where he performed anal sex on him, gave him N5,000, and warned him not to tell anyone, including his parens.

The command’s spokesperson, Ayuba Umma, said in a statement yesterday that the victim was initially afraid to tell his parents, fearing he would become mentally unwell, but eventually confided in them after persistent questioning.

She said: “The Zone 2 Command of the Nigeria Police Force hereby parades Opara Macdonald, the managing director and chief executive officer of Leuven Empire Hotel and Suites, Ejigbo, Lagos, following allegations of having unlawful carnal knowledge of a minor, an act against the order of nature.

“This development follows a petition dated January 23, 2025, submitted to the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 2 Command Headquarters, Onikan, Lagos, by Edozie Christian of Isheri-Osun, Lagos, on behalf of his 16-year-old son.

“The petition alleged that the suspect, Macdonald, engaged in unlawful sexual acts with the minor. Upon receiving the petition, the Assistant Inspector General of Police assigned CSP Uba Bangajiya Adams to conduct a discreet investigation.

“The victim, initially fearful of speaking out due to alleged threats from the suspect, confided in his mother. He recounted that Macdonald had warned him that disclosing the incident would result in him losing his sanity.

“Reassured by his mother, the victim detailed how the suspect had taken him from the hotel in his vehicle to his residence at No. 4B, Oshoba Street, Akowonjo-Egbeda, Lagos, where he was forcibly subjected to unlawful sexual acts. Following the incident, the suspect allegedly gave the victim a bottle of Lucozade and N5,000.

“Upon this revelation, the victim’s parents reported the matter to the Isheri-Osun Police Division. Investigations were initiated, but instead of cooperating with law enforcement, the suspect refused to respond to police invitations and attempted to manipulate the process. Seeking to evade justice, he escalated the matter to the Zone 2 Command Headquarters, where he was subsequently apprehended.

“To ascertain the veracity of the claims, the victim underwent a medical examination at Mirabel Medical Centre. Additionally, a close friend of the victim, who was present at the hotel on the day of the incident, corroborated the allegations.

This friend confirmed that the suspect had been engaging in unlawful acts with the victim and had also attempted a similar act with him, which he resisted. He further presented recorded telephone conversations, chat histories, and video evidence filmed by the victim within the suspect’s residence using the suspect’s phone.

“Initially, the suspect denied knowing the victim. However, when confronted with evidence, he admitted to taking the 16-year-old boy to his residence. Furthermore, it is important to note that the suspect allegedly threatened the victim with psychological harm should he reveal the incident, and since making his confession, the victim has exhibited signs of mental distress.”

Ayuba added that investigations also uncovered unprofessional conduct by the initial Investigating Police Officer (IPO), who removed a key witness’s statement from the case file before transferring it to the Zone 2 Command Headquarters. The IPO, she said, has since been detained and is undergoing disciplinary procedures.

Contrary to some media reports, the medical report from Mirabel Medical Centre remains authentic and has not been tampered with.

The victim is currently receiving medical care. Upon the completion of investigations, the suspect will be formally charged in court.

“The Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 2 Command, urges parents and guardians to remain vigilant, closely monitor their children’s activities, and provide guidance to protect them from harmful influences,” she added.